Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-07-16
FROM WASHINGTON.
rsnaeial Correspondence of the Alexa. GAZET

pressive A change is anXiou5ly awaited
Hon. James w. Reid, ex.member or Con-
press FROM North Carolina, who, 1t Will DO
remembered, resigned his seat in the House
a few months ago under circumstances pain.
fnl to his friends and the public, succeeded
Yesterday in compromising his debts in THIS
citv in manner satisfactory and honorable
to all concerned. The episode in Reld's Ca
reer was an exciting topic at the time OF It's
occurrence, and many were the coDJectures
relative to his sudden retiracy from pubic
life and abandonment of home, friends, etc.
But it was only painful financial emoar'
rassment at worst of which his friends many
of whom arc iniluential) have now relieved
him. He is q talented and eloquent lawyer,
exceedingly we'll connected in his State.
Col. Williams, chief of the document room
at the Capitol, and leading North Caro-.
lima politician, represented the friends OF
ex Congressman Reid in this matter.
Hon. John F. Lewis, it is stated here, is
again the subject of q controversy when
may lead to personal alteration between
his son. Shelley Lewis, and one of the ex-
Senator's critics at Harrisonburg, Va. Hav
inc been published as an unpatriotc Vlr-
ginan who had lately paid part of his taxes
IN coupons. his son has not only responded
for him in writing but has also indicated q
disposition 10 carry the war into his enc
mys country 1t will be remembered that
An Objectionable statement about the eX-
Senator led TO an exciting though harmless
duel q few years ago between his brother
Judge Lewis, of the Court of Appeals and
Gen. Peyton Wise, of Richmond His son,
Shefey, wa on hand at that time and de-
manded the right Of taking his uncle's
place, which, however, was refused him.
Elk Gov. Cameron, of Virginia. is said to
be the presiding genius over the editorial
columns of the Petersburg Iader.Appeat,
and the late unfriendly observations of that
journal regarding Hon. Jno. S. Barbour will
probably derive new interest from that
somewhat significant fact. The ex-Gover-
nor declared some time ago that he
would not fight Malone outside OF
the republican party organization. Has
he q dream that in case of close Leg
islature and "rumpusn - the democratic
camp over the Senatorship that the name OF
Riddleberger's successor might be cores
| bonding one with his own? But it would
hardly be dream to say that Gen. Ma,
homes consent could never be obtained to
any scheme for again honoring either Cam.
eron or Riddleberger. Trust is dead bad
nav killed him. is q commonplace bar.
room placard, intented to signify the with.
drawal of ali future credit, and that is about
what Malone would write of these former
subalterns He trusted them and is dead !;
their bad pay in part killed him. AT all
events he would say so and act accordingly.
No more ridiculous rumor could we'll be i'm
aeined than that which was put upon the
streets here yesterday 10 the effect that Ma
hone would soon sail for Europe. His de-
parture now would be desertion in the face
of the enemy. He could not afford it. The
fight over the Legislature in November
next, which is fight by counties and dis
tricts, will not be altogether lost to Malone
even if the democrats secure small major
ity on Joint ballot. For, should the aggre-
gate republican vote foot up to number
euualling that OF the other side, there would
be shown good chance of Mahone's carry
ing it in the Presidential election next year.
In that event his prestige would no; be lost,
and he would certainly lead the Southern
republican column in the great battle now
nearly to hand. If to victory, a Cabinet
portfolio awaits him if to defeat, he would
of course be dead, but not more than the
| other republican leaders.
Mr.. Barbour is in the city working zeal
ously but quietly. His is a velvet glove on
an iron hand. A silent, aborions and
methodcal man, the plans which he is now
believed to be maturing are those on which
the democracy of the State must and Will
rely for victory. The national democracy,
too, are interested in those plans in vital
degree, for if Virginia DO lost in November
all presidential calculations based on solid
South will be scattered to the four winds,
and clouds, shadows and darkness, envelop
| the situation
There is scarcely politician of any note
in the city. Office getting except through
the pigeon hole medium of letter writing
has well nigh ceased. Just now, however,
would be propitious time for few enter
prising, we'll. backed democrats to come
right on and press their claims personally on
the departments.
The Signal Service at Washington is con.
templating the establishment at Key West,
Fla, of loft of carrier pigeons, with the
object of interchanging with the representa-
tives of the British Government at the Ba-
hama Islands the weather reports of the
United States and of those islands. With
this object in view it is understood that two
officers of the Signal Service Bureau of this
city visited Alexandria day or two since
TO consult MT. d. IL. ~. CLuUOt, WIZ ID al
authority on carrier pigeons. and to get
some points" which might be serviceable
to them in case the establishment of the loft
be determined upon.
The Treasury Department is informed
that number of blank Chinese certificates
were recently stolen from the Custom
House at Port Townsend, w. T., and that
many of them have been sold or otherwise
disposed of for the purpose of enabling Chi
namen to enter the United States in viola
ton of law. Instructions have been sent to
the customs officers on the frontier to be on
the alert.
1t is understood that Commodore ]. A.
Greer president of the examining board,
has been selected to command the European
station in place of Rear Admiral Chandler,
who will be placed on the retired list Au.
gust "a.
Q Assistant Secretary Maynard has ad-
dressed circular letter to customs officers
along the Northern frontier saying that the
department is informed that large qnanti'
ties of opium shipped from Victoria, B. c., by
WOW of tho Canadian Pacific railroad are be-